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The semiconductor industry is on the brink of a significant transition as it phases out 600nm wafers. This shift, driven by advancements in technology and the need for more efficient manufacturing processes, will have profound implications for legacy systems that rely on these older nodes. In this article, we will explore the impact of the 600nm phase-out, provide a historical overview of wafer volumes, and discuss the broader context of the...

NIS2 is a new EU directive you need to pay attention to. While there's no denying that digitalization has made for more efficient internal and external processes, easing the movement of goods and minimizing costs, it's this very reliance on interconnected digital systems that has left manufacturers—and their value chains—vulnerable to an unprecedented level of cybersecurity threats as cybercriminals increasingly target vulnerabilities within the...

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) is a set of regulations developed and used by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to govern the acquisition of goods and services; the regulations are designed to make sure that the DoD procures items and services in a way that promotes national security and supports defense objectives. And so, if your company, regardless of industry, has any involvement in supplying the department...

In electronics design, particularly in PCB (Printed Circuit Board) projects, a robust requirements review process ensures that each project aligns closely with design requirements, client specifications, technical standards, and regulatory guidelines. This requirements process reduces costly engineering change orders and rework, streamlines workflows, and bolsters the chances of first-pass success. Let’s explore how to lead an effective...

Blind vias aren’t just for HDI PCBs, they are also used in standard builds with mechanical drilling and no thin outer layers or build-up film layers. These designs find their home in many different systems, and for me this is most common in high-speed designs or RF designs that require terminated holes for press-fit pins or threaded pins. No matter what the application is, the presence of these holes drives a multiple lamination process to drill...

Negotiation misjudgments are often more crucial than brilliant strategies. Like the infamous Seven Deadly Sins, there are key mistakes that can doom you. Are you guilty of making any of these fatal errors? 1. Pride - Failing to Adapt Your Style Why It's a Sin: Pride in your own approach can prevent you from adapting to different negotiation scenarios and counterparts. When you rigidly stick to one style, you may fail to see that each...

You know you're in procurement when you hear "cost reduction" more often than "good morning." Each quarter, you face a new set of cost-cutting goals from the CFO, often disconnected from the realities of sourcing and supply chain complexities. It's like being in a never-ending episode of "The Price Is Right," except nobody's winning. Let's talk about how to change the script. Understanding the CFO's Perspective (Yes, They Have Challenges Too)...

Picture a football team where players run different playbooks. Chaos, right? Yet this scenario mirrors how many electronics companies manage their product development, with teams working in isolation from conflicting requirements. Hardware engineers craft specifications in spreadsheets, software teams track user stories in agile tools, and quality teams maintain test cases in separate systems. The result? A discordant product development process...

A printed circuit board (PCB) design review is a practice to review the design of a board for possible errors and issues at various stages of product development. It can range from a formal checklist with official sign-offs to a more free-form inspection of schematic drawings and PCB layouts. Some companies do it completely in-house, while others get help from design firms and contractors. In many cases, they involve their contract manufacturers...